Raiders big-spending visionaries?

While many NFL executives shook their heads at the moves that the Oakland Raiders made the last two weeks — it’s hard to sell players that changes need to be made in the Collective Bargaining Agreement when one team is doling out $80 million — there is an important detail being overlooked.

The Raiders haven’t spent a dime. In signing five potential free agents to contracts before the CBA expires today, Oakland didn’t include one signing bonus that required a check being cut before a game is played.

“I’d like to see more teams follow the lead of the Oakland Raiders,” agent Drew Rosenhaus said. He thinks owners will regret not being as aggressive as Oakland owner Al Davis if they, as expected, lock out players.

“There are some real problems for teams,” Rosenhaus said. “It’s not just the players and the union. The owners need to be concerned, too. They’ve invested a tremendous amount of money in the players that they have under contract. There’s no way for them to get better. They can’t sign guys. They can’t make trades. They’re limited during the draft. They can only trade picks.

“They can’t work their guys out. Their coaches can’t talk to their players.”

And while some may argue whether or not linebacker Kamerion Wimbley’s nine sacks are really worth the $11.3 million franchise tag that he signed on Monday, the Raiders chose not to wait for the CBA. Oakland improved to 8-8 last season after seven straight years with 11 or more losses, and Davis credited the players and not since-fired coach Tom Cable.

“That just shows Al’s mentality,” Routt told the Associated Press. “He’s always been an aggressive-minded individual. He wants what he wants. He doesn’t want to waste any time or wait on the CBA or all the possible unknowns or uncertainties to work themselves out. If you want to keep something, you might as well take care of it when in front of you rather than take a chance.”